NAME

sane - Scanner Access Now Easy: API for accessing scanners

DESCRIPTION

SANE is an application programming interface (API) that provides standardized access to
any raster image scanner hardware. The standardized interface makes it possible to write
just one driver for each scanner device instead of one driver for each scanner and
application.
While SANE is primarily targeted at a UNIX environment, the standard has been carefully
designed to make it possible to implement the API on virtually any hardware or operating
system.
This manual page provides a summary of the information available about SANE.
If you have trouble getting your scanner detected, read the PROBLEMS section.

TERMINOLOGY

An application that uses the SANE interface is called a SANEfrontend. A driver that
implements the SANE interface is called a SANEbackend. A metabackend provides some
means to manage one or more other backends.

SOFTWAREPACKAGES

The package `sane-backends' contains a lot of backends, documentation (including the SANE
standard), networking support, and the command line frontend `scanimage'. The frontends
`xscanimage', `xcam', and `scanadf' are included in the package `sane-frontends'. Both
packages can be downloaded from the SANE homepage (http://www.sane-project.org/).
Information about other frontends and backends can also be found on the SANE homepage.

GENERALINFORMATION

The following sections provide short descriptions and links to more information about
several aspects of SANE. A name with a number in parenthesis (e.g. `sane-dll(5)') points
to a manual page. In this case `man5sane-dll' will display the page. Entries like
`@DOCDIR@/sane.tex' are references to text files that were copied to the SANE
documentation directory (@DOCDIR@/) during installation. Everything else is a URL to a
resource on the web.
SANEhomepage
Information on all aspects of SANE including a tutorial and a link to the SANE FAQ can
be found on the SANE homepage: http://www.sane-project.org/.
SANEdevicelists
The SANE device lists contain information about the status of SANE support for a
specific device. If your scanner is not listed there (either supported or unsupported),
please contact us. See section HOW CAN YOU HELP SANE for details. There are lists for
specific releases of SANE, for the current development version and a search engine:
http://www.sane-project.org/sane-supported-devices.html. The lists are also installed
on your system at @DOCDIR@/.SANEmailinglist
There is a mailing list for the purpose of discussing the SANE standard and its
implementations: sane-devel. Despite its name, the list is not only intended for
developers, but also for users. There are also some more lists for special topics,
however, for users, sane-devel is the right list. How to subscribe and unsubscribe:
http://www.sane-project.org/mailing-lists.html.
SANEIRCchannel
The IRC (Internet Relay Chat) channel #sane can be found on the Freenode network
(irc.freenode.net). It's for discussing SANE problems, talking about development and
general SANE related chatting. Before asking for help, please read the other
documentation mentioned in this manual page. The channel's topic is also used for
announcements of problems with SANE infrastructure (mailing lists, web server, etc.).
CompilingandinstallingSANE
Look at @DOCDIR@/README and the os-dependent README files for information about
compiling and installing SANE.SCSIconfiguration
For information about various systems and SCSI controllers see sane-scsi(5).
USBconfiguration
For information about USB configuration see sane-usb(5).

FRONTENDSANDMISCELLANEOUSPROGRAMS

scanimage
Command-line frontend. See scanimage(1).
sanedSANE network daemon that allows remote clients to access image acquisition devices
available on the local host. See saned(8).
sane-find-scanner
Command-line tool to find SCSI and USB scanners and determine their Unix device files.
See sane-find-scanner(1).
Also, have a look at the sane-frontends package (including xscanimage, xcam, and scanadf)
and the frontend information page at http://www.sane-project.org/sane-frontends.html.

BACKENDSFORSCANNERS

abaton
The SANE backend for Abaton flatbed scanners supports the Scan 300/GS (8bit, 256 levels
of gray) and the Scan 300/S (black and white, untested). See sane-abaton(5) for details.
agfafocus
This backend supports AGFA Focus scanners and the Siemens S9036 (untested). See
sane-agfafocus(5) for details.
apple
The SANE backend for Apple flatbed scanners supports the following scanners:
AppleScanner, OneScanner and ColorOneScanner. See sane-apple(5) for details.
artec
The SANE Artec backend supports several Artec/Ultima SCSI flatbed scanners as well as
the BlackWidow BW4800SP and the Plustek 19200S. See sane-artec(5) for details.
artec_eplus48u
The SANE artec_eplus48u backend supports the scanner Artec E+ 48U and re-badged models
like Tevion MD 9693, Medion MD 9693, Medion MD 9705 and Trust Easy Webscan 19200. See
sane-artec_eplus48u(5) for details.
as6e
This is a SANE backend for using the Artec AS6E parallel port interface scanner. See
sane-as6e(5) for details.
avision
This backend supports several Avision based scanners. This includes the original Avision
scanners (like AV 630, AV 620, ...) as well as the HP ScanJet 53xx and 74xx series,
Fujitsu ScanPartner, some Mitsubishi and Minolta film-scanners. See sane-avision(5) for
details.
bh
The bh backend provides access to Bell+Howell Copiscan II series document scanners. See
sane-bh(5) for details.
canon
The canon backend supports the CanoScan 300, CanoScan 600, and CanoScan 2700F SCSI
flatbed scanners. See sane-canon(5) for details.
canon630u
The canon630u backend supports the CanoScan 630u and 636u USB scanners. See
sane-canon630u(5) for details.
canon_dr
The canon_dr backend supports the Canon DR-Series ADF SCSI and USB scanners. See
sane-canon_dr(5) for details.
canon_pp
The canon_pp backend supports the CanoScan FB330P, FB630P, N340P and N640P parallel port
scanners. See sane-canon_pp(5) for details.
cardscan
This backend provides support for Corex Cardscan USB scanners. See sane-cardscan(5) for
details.
coolscan
This is a SANE backend for Nikon Coolscan film-scanners. See sane-coolscan(5) for
details.
coolscan2
This is a SANE backend for Nikon Coolscan film-scanners. See sane-coolscan2(5) or
http://coolscan2.sourceforge.net for details.
epjitsu
The epjitsu backend provides support for Epson-based Fujitsu USB scanners. See
sane-epjitsu(5) for details.
epson
The SANE epson backend provides support for Epson SCSI, parallel port and USB flatbed
scanners. See sane-epson(5) for details.
fujitsu
The fujitsu backend provides support for most Fujitsu SCSI and USB, flatbed and adf
scanners. See sane-fujitsu(5) for details.
genesys
The genesys backend provides support for several scanners based on the Genesys Logic
GL646, GL841, GL843, GL847 and GL124 chips like the Medion 6471 and Hewlett-Packard
2300c.
See sane-genesys(5) for details.
gt68xx
The gt68xx backend provides support for scanners based on the Grandtech GT-6801 and
GT-6816 chips like the Artec Ultima 2000 and several Mustek BearPaw CU and TA models.
Some Genius, Lexmark, Medion, Packard Bell, Plustek, and Trust scanners are also
supported. See sane-gt68xx(5) for details.
hp
The SANE hp backend provides access to Hewlett-Packard ScanJet scanners which support
SCL (Scanner Control Language by HP). See sane-hp(5) for details.
hpsj5s
The SANE backend for the Hewlett-Packard ScanJet 5S scanner. See sane-hpsj5s(5) for
details.
hp3500
The SANE backend for the Hewlett-Packard ScanJet 3500 series. See sane-hp3500(5) for
details.
hp3900
The SANE backend for the Hewlett-Packard ScanJet 3900 series. See sane-hp3900(5) for
details.
hp4200
The SANE backend for the Hewlett-Packard ScanJet 4200 series. See sane-hp4200(5) for
details.
hp5400
The SANE backend for the Hewlett-Packard ScanJet 54XXC series. See sane-hp5400(5) for
details.
hpljm1005
The SANE backend for the Hewlett-Packard LaserJet M1005 scanner. See sane-hpljm1005(5)
for details.
hs2p
The SANE backend for the Ricoh IS450 family of SCSI scanners. See sane-hs2p(5) for
details.
ibm
The SANE backend for some IBM and Ricoh SCSI scanners. See sane-ibm(5) for details.
kodak
The SANE backend for some large Kodak scanners. See sane-kodak(5) for details.
kodakaio
The SANE backend for Kodak AiO printer/scanners. See sane-kodakaio(5) for details.
kvs1025
The SANE backend for Panasonic KV-S102xC scanners. See sane-kvs1025(5) for details.
leo
This backend supports the Leo S3 and the Across FS-1130, which is a re-badged LEO
FS-1130 scanner. See sane-leo(5) for details.
lexmark
This backend supports the Lexmark X1100 series of USB scanners. See sane-lexmark(5) for
details.
ma1509
The ma1509 backend supports the Mustek BearPaw 1200F USB flatbed scanner. See
sane-ma1509(5) for details.
magicolor
The magicolor backend supports the KONICA MINOLTA magicolor 1690MF multi-function
printer/scanner/fax. See sane-magicolor(5) for details.
matsushita
This backend supports some Panasonic KVSS high speed scanners. See sane-matsushita(5)
for details.
microtek
The microtek backend provides access to the "second generation" Microtek scanners with
SCSI-1 command set. See sane-microtek(5) for details.
microtek2
The microtek2 backend provides access to some Microtek scanners with a SCSI-2 command
set. See sane-microtek2(5) for details.
mustek
The SANE mustek backend supports most Mustek SCSI flatbed scanners including the Paragon
and ScanExpress series and the 600 II N and 600 II EP (non-SCSI). Some Trust scanners
are also supported. See sane-mustek(5) for details.
mustek_pp
The mustek_pp backend provides access to Mustek parallel port flatbed scanners. See
sane-mustek_pp(5) for details.
mustek_usb
The mustek_usb backend provides access to some Mustek ScanExpress USB flatbed scanners.
See sane-mustek_usb(5) for details.
mustek_usb2
The mustek_usb2 backend provides access to scanners using the SQ113 chipset like the
Mustek BearPaw 2448 TA Pro USB flatbed scanner. See sane-mustek_usb2(5) for details.
nec
The SANE nec backend supports the NEC PC-IN500/4C SCSI scanner. See sane-nec(5) for
details.
niash
The niash backend supports the Agfa Snapscan Touch and the HP ScanJet 3300c, 3400c, and
4300c USB flatbed scanners. See sane-niash(5) for details.
p5
The SANE backend for Primax PagePartner. See sane-p5(5) for details.
pie
The pie backend provides access to Pacific Image Electronics (PIE) and Devcom SCSI
flatbed scanners. See sane-pie(5) for details.
pixma
The pixma backend supports Canon PIXMA MP series (multi-function devices). See
sane-pixma(5) or http://home.arcor.de/wittawat/pixma/ for details.
plustek
The SANE plustek backend supports USB flatbed scanners that use the National
Semiconductor LM983[1/2/3] chipset aka Merlin. Scanners using this LM983x chips include
some models from Plustek, KYE/Genius, Hewlett-Packard, Mustek, Umax, Epson, and Canon.
See sane-plustek(5) for details.
plustek_pp
The SANE plustek_pp backend supports Plustek parallel port flatbed scanners. Scanners
using the Plustek ASIC P96001, P96003, P98001 and P98003 include some models from
Plustek, KYE/Genius, Primax. See sane-plustek_pp(5) for details.
ricoh
The ricoh backend provides access to the following Ricoh flatbed scanners: IS50 and
IS60. See sane-ricoh(5) for details.
s9036
The s9036 backend provides access to Siemens 9036 flatbed scanners. See sane-s9036(5)
for details.
sceptre
The sceptre backend provides access to the Sceptre S1200 flatbed scanner. See
sane-sceptre(5) for details.
sharp
The SANE sharp backend supports Sharp SCSI scanners. See sane-sharp(5) for details.
sm3600
The SANE sm3600 backend supports the Microtek ScanMaker 3600 USB scanner. See
sane-sm3600(5) for details.
sm3840
The SANE sm3840 backend supports the Microtek ScanMaker 3840 USB scanner. See
sane-sm3840(5) for details.
snapscan
The snapscan backend supports AGFA SnapScan flatbed scanners. See sane-snapscan(5) for
details.
sp15c
This backend supports the Fujitsu FCPA ScanPartner 15C flatbed scanner. See
sane-sp15c(5) for details.
st400
The sane-st400 backend provides access to Siemens ST400 and ST800. See sane-st400(5) for
details.
tamarack
The SANE tamarack backend supports Tamarack Artiscan flatbed scanners. See
sane-tamarack(5) for details.
teco1teco2teco3
The SANE teco1, teco2 and teco3 backends support some TECO scanners, usually sold under
the Relisys, Trust, Primax, Piotech, Dextra names. See sane-teco1(5), sane-teco2(5) and
sane-teco3(5) for details.
u12
The sane-u12 backend provides USB flatbed scanners based on Plustek's ASIC 98003
(parallel-port ASIC) and a GeneSys Logics' USB-parport bridge chip like the Plustek
OpticPro U(T)12. See sane-u12(5) for details.
umax
The sane-umax backend provides access to several UMAX-SCSI-scanners and some Linotype
Hell SCSI-scanners. See sane-umax(5) for details.
umax_pp
The sane-umax_pp backend provides access to Umax parallel port flatbed scanners and the
HP 3200C. See sane-umax_pp(5) for details.
umax1200u
The sane-umax1220u backend supports the UMAX Astra 1220U (USB) flatbed scanner (and also
the UMAX Astra 2000U, sort of). See sane-umax1220u(5) for details.
xerox_mfp
The sane-xerox_mfp backend supports multiple Samsung-based Samsung, Xerox, and Dell
scanners. See sane-xerox_mfp(5) for details.
Also, have a look at the backend information page at
http://www.sane-project.org/sane-supported-devices.html and the list of projects in
@DOCDIR@/PROJECTS.

BACKENDSFORDIGITALCAMERAS

dc210
Backend for Kodak DC210 Digital Camera. See sane-dc210(5).
dc240
Backend for Kodak DC240 Digital Camera. See sane-dc240(5).
dc25
Backend for Kodak DC20/DC25 Digital Cameras. See sane-dc25(5).
dmc
Backend for the Polaroid Digital Microscope Camera. See sane-dmc(5).
gphoto2
Backend for digital cameras supported by the gphoto2 library package. (See
http://www.gphoto.org for more information and a list of supported cameras.) Gphoto2
supports over 140 different camera models. However, please note that more development
and testing is needed before all of these cameras will be supported by SANE backend.
See sane-gphoto2(5).
qcam
Backend for Connectix QuickCam cameras. See sane-qcam(5).
stv680
The sane-st680 backend provides access to webcams with a stv680 chip. See sane-st680(5)
for details.
Also, have a look at the backend information page at
http://www.sane-project.org/sane-supported-devices.html and the list of projects in
@DOCDIR@/PROJECTS.

MISCELLANEOUSBACKENDS

dll
The sane-dll library implements a SANE backend that provides access to an arbitrary
number of other SANE backends by dynamic loading. See sane-dll(5).
net
The SANE network daemon saned provides access to scanners located on different computers
in connection with the net backend. See sane-net(5) and saned(8).
pnm
PNM image reader pseudo-backend. The purpose of this backend is primarily to aid in
debugging of SANE frontends. See sane-pnm(5).
pint
Backend for scanners that use the PINT (Pint Is Not Twain) device driver. The PINT
driver is being actively developed on the OpenBSD platform, and has been ported to a few
other *nix-like operating systems. See sane-pint(5).
test
The SANE test backend is for testing frontends and the SANE installation. It provides
test pictures and various test options. See sane-test(5).
v4l
The sane-v4l library implements a SANE backend that provides generic access to video
cameras and similar equipment using the V4L (Video for Linux) API. See sane-v4l(5).
Also, have a look at the backend information page at
http://www.sane-project.org/sane-supported-devices.html and the list of projects in
@DOCDIR@/PROJECTS.

CHANGINGTHETOP-LEVELBACKEND

By default, all SANE backends (drivers) are loaded dynamically by the sane-dll meta
backend. If you have any questions about the dynamic loading, read sane-dll(5). SANE
frontend can also be linked to other backends directly by copying or linking a backend to
libsane.so in @LIBDIR@.

DEVELOPER'SDOCUMENTATION

It's not hard to write a SANE backend. It can take some time, however. You should have
basic knowledge of C and enough patience to work through the documentation and find out
how your scanner works. Appended is a list of some documents that help to write backends
and frontends.
The SANE standard defines the application programming interface (API) that is used to
communicate between frontends and backends. It can be found at @DOCDIR@/sane.ps (if latex
is installed on your system) and on the SANE website: http://www.sane-project.org/html/
(HTML), or http://www.sane-project.org/sane.ps (Postscript).
There is some more information for programmers in @DOCDIR@/backend-writing.txt. Most of
the internal SANE routines (sanei) are documented using doxygen:
http://www.sane-project.org/sanei/. Before a new backend or frontend project is started,
have a look at @DOCDIR@/PROJECTS for projects that are planned or not yet included into
the SANE distribution and at our bug-tracking system:
http://www.http://www.sane-project.org/bugs.html.
There are some links on how to find out about the protocol of a scanner:
http://www.meier-geinitz.de/sane/misc/develop.html.
If you start writing a backend or frontend or any other part of SANE, please contact the
sane-devel mailing list for coordination so the same work isn't done twice.

PROBLEMS

If your device isn't found but you know that it is supported, make sure that it is
detected by your operating system. For SCSI and USB scanners, use the sane-find-scanner
tool (see sane-find-scanner(1) for details). It prints one line for each scanner it has
detected and some comments (#). If sane-find-scanner finds your scanner only as root but
not as normal user, the permissions for the device files are not adjusted correctly. If
the scanner isn't found at all, the operating system hasn't detected it and may need some
help. Depending on the type of your scanner, read sane-usb(5) or sane-scsi(5). If your
scanner (or other device) is not connected over the SCSI bus or USB, read the backend's
manual page for details on how to set it up.
Now your scanner is detected by the operating system but not by SANE? Try scanimage-L.
If the scanner is not found, check that the backend's name is mentioned in
@CONFIGDIR@/dll.conf. Some backends are commented out by default. Remove the comment sign
for your backend in this case. Also some backends aren't compiled at all if one of their
prerequisites are missing. Examples include dc210, dc240, canon_pp, hpsj5s, gphoto2, pint,
qcam, v4l, net, sm3600, snapscan, pnm. If you need one of these backends and they aren't
available, read the build instructions in the README file and the individual manual pages
of the backends.
Another reason for not being detected by scanimage-L may be a missing or wrong
configuration in the backend's configuration file. While SANE tries to automatically find
most scanners, some can't be setup correctly without the intervention of the
administrator. Also on some operating systems auto-detection may not work. Check the
backend's manual page for details.
If your scanner is still not found, try setting the various environment variables that are
available to assist in debugging. The environment variables are documented in the
relevant manual pages. For example, to get the maximum amount of debug information when
testing a Mustek SCSI scanner, set environment variables SANE_DEBUG_DLL,
SANE_DEBUG_MUSTEK, and SANE_DEBUG_SANEI_SCSI to 128 and then invoke scanimage-L. The
debug messages for the dll backend tell if the mustek backend was found and loaded at all.
The mustek messages explain what the mustek backend is doing while the SCSI debugging
shows the low level handling. If you can't find out what's going on by checking the
messages carefully, contact the sane-devel mailing list for help (see REPORTING BUGS
below).
Now that your scanner is found by scanimage-L, try to do a scan: scanimage>image.pnm.
This command starts a scan for the default scanner with default settings. All the
available options are listed by running scanimage--help. If scanning aborts with an
error message, turn on debugging as mentioned above. Maybe the configuration file needs
some tuning, e.g. to setup the path to a firmware that is needed by some scanners. See the
backend's manual page for details. If you can't find out what's wrong, contact sane-devel.
To check that the SANE libraries are installed correctly you can use the test backend,
even if you don't have a scanner or other SANE device:
scanimage-dtest-T
You should get a list of PASSed tests. You can do the same with your backend by changing
"test" to your backend's name.
So now scanning with scanimage works and you want to use one of the graphical frontends
like xsane, xscanimage, or quiteinsane but those frontends don't detect your scanner? One
reason may be that you installed two versions of SANE. E.g. the version that was
installed by your distribution in /usr and one you installed from source in /usr/local/.
Make sure that only one version is installed. Another possible reason is, that your
system's dynamic loader can't find the SANE libraries. For Linux, make sure that
/etc/ld.so.conf contains /usr/local/lib and does not contain /usr/local/lib/sane. See
also the documentation of the frontends.

HOWCANYOUHELPSANE

CONTACT

For reporting bugs or requesting new features, please use our bug-tracking system:
http://www.sane-project.org/bugs.html. You can also contact the author of your backend
directly. Usually the email address can be found in the @DOCDIR@/AUTHORS file or the
backend's manpage. For general discussion about SANE, please use the SANE mailing list
sane-devel (see http://www.sane-project.org/mailing-lists.html for details).

AUTHOR

David Mosberger-Tang and many many more (see @DOCDIR@/AUTHORS for details). This man page
was written by Henning Meier-Geinitz. Quite a lot of text was taken from the SANE
standard, several man pages, and README files.
@PACKAGEVERSION@ 14 Jul 2008 sane(7)